Like science, poetry often involves a high level of abstraction in language and ideas, requiring specific critical-thinking skills and promoting interaction. Casteel and Isom (1994) acknowledge, "The literacy processes are the means by which science content is learned because content information is rooted in written and oral language"…

In the age of standardized testing, science and social studies are not given the same priority as mathematics and reading in the curriculum of United States schools. High stakes testing is viewed as having heavily biased schools toward teaching tested subjects and away from less frequently tested subjects. This paper is premised on the notion that…

Discusses the need for integration of science and mathematics education with a history of curriculum activities related to integration. Provides a bibliography of 67 references chosen by the School Science and Mathematics Association (SSMA) Early Childhood and Middle School Science and Mathematics Integration Task Force. (YP)

These background papers are written to provide information for the teacher on technical problems that might arise as students carry on various USMES investigations. Background papers are also written which include information about the types of investigations which may provide good opportunities for learning in specific areas. This set includes…

This document presents the last newsletter of the Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) project. Included is information relating to USMES materials which are available, research projects conducted with USMES materials, the use of USMES materials in the field, research reviewing the extension of USMES to the secondary…

A unified science approach is incorporated in this K-6 curriculum mode. The program is organized into six major cycles. These include: (1) science, math, and technology cycle; (2) universe cycle; (3) life cycle; (4) water cycle; (5) plate tectonics cycle; and (6) rock cycle. An overview is provided of each cycle's major concepts. The topic…

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a means of assisting teachers to infuse the teaching of science processes into an existing Unified Science program for grades K through 6. The identification of component science skills for each grade level and subsequent writing of sample activities are described. Field testing of the…

Reviews the basic structure of unified studies, which includes ideas and philosophies common to science/technology/society (STS), holistic education, and integrated/transdisciplinary education as an STS organizing principle for elementary teacher preparation. (MKR)

Rock Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) chemistry (introducing the topics of matter, elements, compounds, and chemical bonding); (2) characteristics (presenting hands-on activities with rocks and minerals); (3) minerals (emphasizing the aesthetic and economic…

This brief position paper describes the integration of children's literature into the social studies/humanities methods course for elementary school teachers at California State University (Rialto). The course is built around a thematic unit approach and reading and writing across the curriculum in order to give future teachers a model in…

Life Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) past life (focusing on dinosaurs and fossil formation, types, and importance); (2) animal life (examining groups of invertebrates and vertebrates, cells, reproduction, and classification systems); (3) plant life…

Water Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) atmosphere (highlighting the processes of evaporation, condensation, convection, wind movement and air pollution); (2) water (examining the properties of liquids, water distribution, use, and quality, and the water…

These activity cards, developed by the Unified Science and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) Project, are divided into 18 groups. The first group of cards are Design Lab Tech Cards; the remaining groups are "How To" Cards. They include: (1) How To Construct a Sampling Histogram; (2) How To Make a Bar Graph Tally; (3) How To Make…

Integrating the arts from the preschool level through graduate school enables students to develop their creativity and their ability to reason, draw abstractions, analyze, give personal meaning to what they are learning, and to express themselves in very powerful and fulfilling ways. Students must be taught with a variety of approaches to…

Plate Tectonics Cycle is one of the units of a K-6 unified science curriculum program. The unit consists of four organizing sub-themes: (1) volcanoes (covering formation, distribution, and major volcanic groups); (2) earthquakes (with investigations on wave movements, seismograms and sub-suface earth currents); (3) plate tectonics (providing maps…